Chapel at Ender’s Ridge by Beckett Krane

Decker Belmont loathes being a vampire. Leaving his bloody past behind him, Decker finds refuge in the quiet town of Ender’s Ridge where creatures like him thrive, and strikes up a tenuous balance between survival and sanity. When a troubled preacher arrives to fix the chapel next door to the saloon, Decker discovers he’s not the only one struggling with his nature. Laurie Lane is eager to start his new life away from seminary, but the town’s history doesn’t favor preachers—neither does Decker, especially when change follows Laurie like a plague. As the veil protecting Ender’s Ridge cracks, and tensions rise, Decker and Laurie are forced to find peace in who they are and what they mean to each other before Ender’s Ridge succumbs to a disaster of biblical proportions.

Children of the Black (Silver Sights Saga, #1) by W.J. Long III

SPSFC 2023

Humanity has survived. On the far end of the universe, with Earth little more than a faded memory, they thrive on worlds where once they were enslaved. In the millennia since, these persistent beings built new societies, but when the two greatest nations among them met for the first time, there was war. The all-consuming conflict bent the wills and morals of both powers beyond recognition, leading to levels of experimentation and cruelty once thought impossible. Yet, in a universe drowned in blood, an opportunity for peace is seized. In the uncertain aftermath of the truce, a broken soldier haunted by the horrors of the war and the lost psionic girl he once risked his life to save scratch out a life in the dusty streets of Minerva City. Meanwhile, from worlds beyond, shadows from their past descend to offer a different path. In exchange, the two must find a powerful secret once thought capable of bringing solace to a desperate wartorn universe, but in this time of uneasy peace, it holds a more destructive power. Uniquely qualified and entirely in over their heads, they put their lives on the line to embark on a harrowing adventure and discover not only answers to their broken pasts but a taste of perils lurking in the Black.

Winds of Chaos by Laura Brewer, Roland Brewer

Welcome to the training grounds of the Armies of Heaven. Born on a world full of dangerous creatures and agents of darkness, Alvinar and Rowan are rigorously trained to hunt and fight all manner of things to survive. Asked to lead a new settlement, far from aid, they throw themselves into the business of exploring and securing the area. Freya and Thor warn them trouble is on the horizon. When scouts find the remains of an ancient city, they go to explore; concerned at the presence of strange magic that feels – different. Several of the gods from Asgard come to investigate. An attempted invasion by portal stirs the strange magic in defense, but also destabilizes that magic and ripples are felt even in Asgard. Alvinar is changed by it and Freya takes him to Asgard. When a magical explosion in the ruins spreads chaos, even in Asgard, the very core of Rowan and Alvinar’s perception of who they are will be tried in its fire. Can they keep to the path of Light when Darkness seeks to sear their very souls?

Icon-Violet by Simon Fay

SPSFC 2023

At the far reaches of space, Violet has been betrayed by Yellow and left to certain death. Once, they shared a common pool of memories. Now, Yellow has destroyed their bond. And so starts Violet’s perilous journey across the galaxy, whereupon questions of fate will force them to confront mistakes that continue to haunt them both… Icon-Violet: Find out what happens when one mind is split in two.

Dark Bloom by Molly Macabre

When a disease runs rampant, turning people into cannibalistic horrors, society comes to a halt. Kate manages to escape the sadistic captivity she has endured and collides with Nick, a Marine haunted by the scars of war. They join forces to navigate a treacherous landscape, battling the undead and hostile survivors. But what happens when the monsters outside are the least of their worries? Nick’s shame is crushing, and Kate’s distrust is swallowing her whole. Will they overcome the darkness that threatens to consume them from within? And what will become of a world overrun with creatures that cannot seem to stop…laughing?